I just ordered a OS-WMRS200 and was about to order a meteohub server from Varia-Store when I saw that they are selling the ALIX.3D3 board instead of ALIX.3D2. I suppose there's no problem with the software since architecture is quite similar, but:
- What are the differences with 3D2 and RD3. It seems that there is a additional VGA port but doesn't appear in the pictures.
- Can you confirm that it does have a RS232 port? My father has a OS-WMR928N and I would like to be able to eventually plug his station.
- Varia-Store installs a Transced 300x SLC compact flash. It is really necessary to use such expensive card or anyone would do?
Thanks in advance for your questions.
ALIX.3d3 from Vario-Store???
Moderator: Mattk
Re:ALIX.3d3 from Vario-Store???
3D3 is recognized by Meteohub as a 1D. According to varia-store it works fine.
3D3 has a native serial interface on board. You can check this on "pcengines.ch".
I strongly recommend to use SLC flash storage to minimize risk of being hit by storage failure. Transcend 300x is one the few SLC CF cards around and very fast as well. I think it is an excellent pick, well worth the 15-20 Euro uplift compared to cheap no name CF cards. The trouble you have with a flash storage throwing failures and/or loosing your data can be extreme as we know from NSLU2.
3D3 has a native serial interface on board. You can check this on "pcengines.ch".
I strongly recommend to use SLC flash storage to minimize risk of being hit by storage failure. Transcend 300x is one the few SLC CF cards around and very fast as well. I think it is an excellent pick, well worth the 15-20 Euro uplift compared to cheap no name CF cards. The trouble you have with a flash storage throwing failures and/or loosing your data can be extreme as we know from NSLU2.
Re:ALIX.3d3 from Vario-Store???
Ok. Thanks for your answer
Re:ALIX.3d3 from Vario-Store???
Hi,
I just migrated to an ALIX 3D3 from an NLSU. While the Meteohub migration was dead simple thanks to the excellent documentation, I did have some issues with the hardware and the VGA port.
Following are the problems I had:
1. 20+ minute delay before the Linux kernel would start.
2. The serial port was not recognised.
This board uses an Award BIOS instead of the TinyBIOS used on the 3d1 and 3d2 boards.
There is a BIOS update available from the PC Engines web site that addressed both of these issues. It can be found here: http://www.pcengines.ch/file/alixbio7.zip
In addition, you will need the FreeDOS boot image to install the update, see the link: http://www.pcengines.ch/freedos.htm
While the instructions on the page indicate that you need a Compact Flash card, I found that putting the image straight onto a USB stick and booting from USB also worked, and was much easier if the unit is already in a case.
Use the ImageCopy and the freedos.zip method with CF or USB.
Hope this helps for anyone else looking at the ALIX 3D3 boards. MUCH faster than an NLSU.
I just migrated to an ALIX 3D3 from an NLSU. While the Meteohub migration was dead simple thanks to the excellent documentation, I did have some issues with the hardware and the VGA port.
Following are the problems I had:
1. 20+ minute delay before the Linux kernel would start.
2. The serial port was not recognised.
This board uses an Award BIOS instead of the TinyBIOS used on the 3d1 and 3d2 boards.
There is a BIOS update available from the PC Engines web site that addressed both of these issues. It can be found here: http://www.pcengines.ch/file/alixbio7.zip
In addition, you will need the FreeDOS boot image to install the update, see the link: http://www.pcengines.ch/freedos.htm
While the instructions on the page indicate that you need a Compact Flash card, I found that putting the image straight onto a USB stick and booting from USB also worked, and was much easier if the unit is already in a case.
Use the ImageCopy and the freedos.zip method with CF or USB.
Hope this helps for anyone else looking at the ALIX 3D3 boards. MUCH faster than an NLSU.